2. Academic Validation
  3. Chemotherapy-induced PTEN-L secretion promotes the selection of PTEN-deficient tumor cells

Chemotherapy-induced PTEN-L secretion promotes the selection of PTEN-deficient tumor cells

  • J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2024 May 11;43(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s13046-024-03059-y.
Ming Wang # 1,  Zhenzhen Pan # 2,  Xu Chu 3,  Xiaohan Yao 2,  Xixi Duan 2,  Jiajia Wan 2,  Xiaohan Lou 2,  Wenqing Li 2,  Yan Yan 2,  Lin Chen 2,  Junfeng An 4,  Zhihai Qin 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China. wangmingheda@163.com.
  • 2 Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
  • 3 The first affiliated hospital of Henan University of science and technology, Luo Yang, China.
  • 4 Guangzhou DaAn Clinical Laboratory Center Co. Ltd, YunKang Group, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
  • 5 Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China. zhihai@ibp.ac.cn.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 38730468 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03059-y
Abstract

Background: PTEN loss has been identified in various tumor types and is linked to unfavorable clinical outcomes. In addition to PTEN mutation, multiple mechanisms contribute to PTEN loss during tumor development. However, the natural selection process of PTEN-deficient tumor cells remains unclear. Here, we aimed at further elucidating the role of PTEN-L in tumor progression.

Methods: PTEN knockout cell lines were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Ni-NTA affinity column chromatography was employed for PTEN-L purification. Tumor cell metastasis was evaluated in murine models and observed using the IVIS Spectrum Imaging System. RNA-sequencing, western blotting, PCR, flow cytometry, and cell proliferation assays were employed to investigate tumor cell dormancy and related mechanisms.

Results: The chemotherapeutic drugs, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin, induced tumor cells to secrete PTEN-long (PTEN-L), which shields PTEN-deficient tumor cells from chemotherapy-induced Apoptosis better than it shields PTEN-intact cells. Further investigation revealed that PTEN-L treatment induced dormancy in PTEN-null tumor cells, characterized by an increase in p16 and p27 levels, cell-cycle arrest, reduced cell proliferation, and enhanced DNA repair. Furthermore, PTEN-L treatment selectively promoted the accumulation and growth of PTEN-null tumor cells in the lungs of C57BL/6J mice, while evading immune surveillance. Mechanistically, PTEN-L induced dormancy in PTEN-null tumor cells by activating the p38 signaling pathway. Addition of a p38 inhibitor effectively reversed dormancy and growth of PTEN-deficient tumor cells in the lungs. We also demonstrated that PTEN expression played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of PTEN-L-mediated antitumor therapy.

Conclusions: In summary, PTEN-L was identified as a potent inducer of dormancy in PTEN-deficient tumor cells, which increased their efficient selection within the tumor microenvironment.

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